ParentTalk# with Bev

A longer than usual podcast about a Black mother's search for healing in a system where services are not holistic. Listen as she shares her experience  with us. Trigger warnings! Some of this may be uncomfortable listening but she leaves us with gems we ALL can learn from. Find the courage to reach out for support & information. Instagram -@SANCTUARY4SISTERHOOD  Email: [email protected] National 24-hour Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) on 0808 2000 247.Share and subscribe Podcast contact: [email protected] -@bevparenttalk

Did you know you need to be a UK homeowner to act as guarantor for you child's rent outside of halls of residents? In Bristol you do! I never knew it was an issue until now.  Low income families with bright children going to university be aware. Starting a degree is not the issue but continuing to the end can be the challenge.   Links below for more research so you can be prepared or campaign for change. Links for further reading:https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/oct/29/parents-who-wish-they-knew-more-about-universityhttps://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/jan/20/student-housing-what-you-need-to-know-as-a-guarantorBristol - https://my.housinghand.co.uk/register?code=bristolunUCAS Hub for parentshttps://www.ucas.com/discoverPodcast contact: [email protected]

Do you know what a H.EA.R. is? Nor did I. If you have children at university or going to university you should know about this. Found out about it while helping a student. Sharing experiences help us to support our children and our communities better. Warning!!  Death by suicide mentioned.Websites mentioned; www.open.ac.uk/study/credit-transfer and www.oiahe.org.uk. Reach out if you want to be a guest on the podcast. Contact email for guests is  [email protected]

Sharing my response to an incident a Year 7 mother is facing with her daughter's new secondary school.  Nipping things in the bud early is key. Schools keep written records, even an email is a record, so parents need to do the same.   What could/should we ask the school to do? Can we use role play at home to help our children practice how they respond to help them survive? Instagram: BevparenttalkEmail. [email protected]

When it comes to grandparents and our children are parents always between a rock and a hard place?  A nan's comment, to her grandchild, led to a lengthy conversation between me and her mum. This podcast is some of my reflections on the struggles, questions and tensions of a complex relationships with our parents in this new grandparent role.  How do we find the courage to tell our parents they are wrong? How do we teach our children to be who they are but respectfully? Do we hear any pearls of wisdom from our parents, or does it all just sound  like criticism?Instagram @bevparenttalkEmail: [email protected]

This was the last unpublished podcast for 2022 reflecting on how we might deal with the long journey of parenting. Like others, over the past twenty years, I have had to find my way over and my journey is not finished.  I sometimes have felt crushed, in this space, but share some things that might help us to cope a little more on our pathways. 

Christmas season 2022 can be the lonely for so many reasons. Parents, or anyone alone at this time can seem hopeless.  Is that  true?  What might we learn from loneliness? How might we share what's really important?  May we find joy in  the simple things and gain hope for our tomorrows. Blessed Holidays All! 

A "nitty gritty" final part of our discussion on the topic.  Do more Black teachers need to apply to teach in these places? Shouldn't different cultures be in these spaces to show the world is a wider place? Is it all about networking rather than education?  Listen as each guest leaves a word of wisdom/advice or encouragement for us all.

I am joined in this discussion by teachers, support staff, parents and a student talking about a  Black experience in Independent/Private Schools.  Why did we send our children to boarding schools? Is  it the right thing to do? Are independent/private schools better environments for our children? Listen as we talk about pros, cons, racism and much more.  

Parenting is a juggling 'act' for many of us. We often hide our struggles, but parents are speaking more about the impact of this topic, on them and their children, triggering this episode. I am sharing a few examples and five sources where help can be found in the UK.  Listen and share for the betterment of our parenting communities as together we can be stronger. Organisations mentioned;  (CAB) www.citizensadvice.org.uk, Shelter  www.shelter.org.uk, Christians against poverty CAP www.capuk.org   Turn2US www.turn2us.org.uk, Trussel Trust  www.trusseltrust.org , Community Fridges Network www.hubbub.org.uk/the-community-fridge. Contacts: (E) [email protected] Instagram @bevparenttalk